[oldtimer]

Does it matter if it's off? If it should be on, why?

Thanks!

[Link]

surge protector/'power strip' <-- you REALLY shouldn't plug your computer into an unprotected power supply.. or battery backup can stay on, in the case of a battery backup I'd RECCOMEND it stay on? Depends if it needs to be or not.. sometimes you can switch them off and sometimes they'll go into backup mode and start beeping >_>

I tend to leave my surge protectors on as from my guess they're designed to be on, and it's about as harmless as having the power circulating through your house while you're sleeping (most people don't turn off their breakers at night).

It's a question of do you trust it? I mean if you feel safe to leave it switched on while sleeping, why not?

One bad thing is if lightning hits your phone or power line while you're asleep it'd likely blow out something in your computer.. IMHO if you're gonna turn it off, unplug it + the phone line <-- totally safe machine then.

Otherwise as long as you're not causing any fire hazzards by having multiple extension cords plugged into your power strips or daisy chaining one power strip to another then you should be just fine.

[oldtimer]

I guess what I'm getting at is, I had a problem where i needed to install a new battery, reset the pram and in my case unplug the power chord, wait and then connect again.

I'm wondering if the power chord connected actually does anything while the computer is off.

[-Q-]

It helps extend the life of the PRAM battery. Even when the computer is off, if it's plugged into a live socket/powerstrip it will continue to draw a minute amount of power to keep the contents of the PRAM in memory. If it's not plugged in, the battery will die much more quickly b/c of the computer using it to power the PRAM.

[Link]

apple would have to have been made by a bunch of idiots to store the PRAM data in anythnig BUT flash memory..

[cambro]

Originally posted by -Q-:
... if it's plugged into a live socket/powerstrip it will continue to draw a minute amount of power..

<rant>
Unfortunately, EVERYTHING that is plugged in draws power, even when off. Usually there is no reason for this power draw. It is just an inheritance of a wasteful culture.

Sometimes manufacturers will list idle power draw on products. I encourage everyone to take this into consideration when buying TVs, microwaves, whatever. It is amazing how wasteful some products are (drawing as much as a 40 watt light bulb when off and doing nothing). There is no reason for this other than laziness on the part of manufacturers. Unfortunately, the public doesn't care either and there is therefore no check on the product design process.
</rant>

[oldtimer]

THIS IS GOOD USEFUL INFORMATION. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS NONSENSE!